Waving From The Stands Poem by Jim Yerman

I watched Ava play baseball last night and was immediately carried away
To another baseball field...another team...another time....another day.

I was playing right field then. There I stood with glove in hand
My parents cheered my every move while waving from the stands.

I blinked; I was at a soccer game there was Bryan...he looked so small
“Bryan, ” I yelled my encouragement, ”Don’t forget to kick the ball.”

I blinked again and when I opened my eyes another memory revealed...
I was cheering Ryan this time from a different soccer field.

Another blink and Ali was playing volleyball in Middle School
She had this little grunt when she served which I thought was pretty cool.

Blink! Now it was Damien and Taylor playing soccer. Look at those two go!
Blink! There was Aden kicking up a storm at his class in Tae Kwon Do.

Ping! I was back watching Ava and saw that smile on her face
As she hit the ball then took off running...ending safely at first base.

I couldn’t help smiling, but I have to say at first I was perplexed
To think how quickly life moves on from one memory to the next.

But then I was glad to see how easily these memories synthesize and blend
And how we hope as we get older this memories never end.

Watching Ava I couldn’t help thinking life is like baseball, I must admit,
Sometimes our children will strike out and sometimes they’ll get a hit.

Yet, no matter what the outcome...no matter where that ball may land
They have a group of people who will cheer them on...while waving from the stands.